You can't make this stuff up

Rufus Giuseppe

Publication: theday.com

Some weeks the news is downright odd. But you already knew that.

Still, this week I read a couple of dog-related items that seemed Twilight Zone-ish in their oddness.

Exhibit one:A person in Tennessee (sadly, my home state) brought his bulldog-mix into the pound because he thought the dog was “gay.” His evidence: the pup got a little too familiar with another dog of the same gender.

Seriously.

Here’s what the story says. “The dog was left in a rabies control shelter in Jackson, Tenn., “not because he’s mean or because he tears things up, but because… His owner says he’s gay!" according to the Facebook group Jackson, TN Euthanasia.

The group, which finds homes for shelter dogs, wrote that the pup “humped another male dog, so his owner threw him away because he refuses to have a ‘gay’ dog!”

This is so bizarre on so many levels that I don’t know what to say.“Dogs hump to show dominance, nitwit,” is the first thing that comes to mind.

And a ‘gay’ dog is reason for abandonment?? What is this guy, a Boy Scout? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Lucky for said dog, a veterinary technician came forward to give him a loving, open and affirming home.

Exhibit two:

That brings us to the tale of Tonik, a young poodle/Shih Tzu up for adoption in Indiana. Tonik is considered odd looking, even by Internet standards. Why, you ask?

Because he looks like a human.

Really, check out that mug. Makes you wonder what other mix he has in him besides poodle/Shih Tzu.

I think he looks self-possessed and dignified, not unlike myself. He has a page on Pet Finder where he is described as “very sweet.” I bet he’ll be scooped up by some anthropomorphizing human before long.

However, I did hear he loves Broadway shows and Judy Garland, so Mr. Redneck Tenn, stay away.